Most Outstanding Player Candidates: 1A Div. I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graduations at Olpe may just open the door to some other contenders this year. With a more open field, watch for the following guys to compete for Most Outstanding Player of 1A Div. I:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Frontrunners:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1213186' first='Ryan' last='Kuckelman'], 6-foot-6 center, 2023, Macksville:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This super experienced senior leads a super talented group of returners. Kuckelman doesn't always post big stats, but his team should go a long ways, and he will be in the lead. His height and ability to run the floor is a combo you don't see much of at the 1A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1080199' first='Braxton' last='Lafferty'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2023, Little River:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Kuckleman, Lafferty is a multi-sport star who has been a fixture for the Redskins for three years. He's played the supporting role as well as the go-to guy equally well. He's disruptive at the defensive end and hits the boards, and he can provide points when needed. He averaged 16 as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Outsiders:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Truman Bailey</strong>, 6-foot-2 forward, 2023, Olpe:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bailey is going to carry a heavy load for the Eagles. They graduated a ton of production from their state title team, and Bailey is the primary returner. He'll have to build on the 12 points and 4 boards he contributed a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1146294' first='Jerrit' last='Norris'], 6-foot-4 center, 2023, Troy:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris didn't have to be the focal point for the state-bound Trojans a year ago, so his numbers slipped a little from his stellar sophomore season. But with graduations sapping some of the team's production, Norris will need to get back to the 20 points and 10 boards he was capable of as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Reece</strong>, 6-foot-3 forward, 2024, Hodgeman County:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Longhorns were really good last season until they fell upon hard times in mid-February and missed the state tournament. They can look to Reece to build on their success this year. He was one of 1A's most productive sophomores, with a stat line of 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Surprise Candidates:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1212166' first='Jett' last='Vincent'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Canton-Galva:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vincent had a huge career at Wheatland-Grinnell before transferring to Canton-Galva for his senior year. He helped the Eagles to a strong football season and will help improve the hoops team as well. He's a big, athletic, experienced wing who averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds for Wheatland-Grinnell as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1269981' first='Spencer' last='Coup'], 6-foot-1 guard, 2024, Solomon (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gorillas have to replace the production of [player_tooltip player_id='1080195' first='Makaen' last='Hastings'] from their state tournament team of a year ago. They're lucky to have Coup to help pick up some of that slack. He averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a sophomore. He's capable of being the team leader, and he will have to lift his game to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->